Poland Facts For Kids | Land of the Fields

Poland is the 9th largest in Europe by area. It shares its borders with Germany in the west; Ukraine to the east; Czech Republic to the south; while the northern side is almost entirely dominated by the Baltic Sea coast. The country lies at the very heart of Europe. Poland has Sudetic and Carpathian mountain ranges in the southern side. During World War II, most of the polish territory was occupied Nazi Germany, eastern region was under the control of Russia.

Poland Facts For Kids

Introduction

Name: Republic of Poland

Official Language: Polish

Capital City: Warsaw

Ranking: 9th Largest Country in Europe

Nickname: Land of the Fields

Currency: Zloty

History

In 966 Poland adopted a new religion of Christianity as Mieszko I, the first ruler was baptized.

In 1025, Boleslaw I had become the first king of Poland.

The years in between 1569 to 1795 are known as ‘Golden Age of Poland’ because Poland was the largest country in Europe during this time.

Poland was divided into three different countries from 1795 to 1918; Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Poland ceased to exist as a separate country after this.

In 1918, the country regained its independence—the second republic.

Russia and Germany occupied the entire country. The division took place as a result of Ribbentrop-Molotow Pact.

The Warsaw Uprising began on August 1, 1944.

Wielun was the first polish city to come under the attack of German Air Force and it triggered the World War II—five minutes.

The German Carpet bombings claimed around 1,300 lives and destroyed every major building.

Jews started building Ghetto’s walls on August 1940. Nearly all Jewish people were in worst conditions. The Ghetto covered 2.6 sq. km. The Jewish were not allowed to come outside Ghetto otherwise they will be killed.

On May 16, 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising came to an end.

German Forces destroyed almost the entire Warsaw. As it turned out, they killed 120,000 to 200,000 civilians; 15,200 soldiers; 5,000 missings and 15,000 had become prisoners.

Lech Walesa was the first ever Polish President in 1990 after the establishment of Third Polish Republic and democracy.

Geography & Size

The total area of Poland is 312,679 sq. kilometers (120,726 square. mil).

The country has 70 mountains that stand more than 2,000 meters.

The highest mountain ranges of Poland are Polish Tatras.

Peak of Rysy is the highest point of Poland as it stands 2,499 meters (8,199 feet).

Bledow Desert is the only desert in Poland with the total area of 32 sq. kilometers.

Oder, Warta, and Bug are the longest rivers of Poland.

Morskie Oko is the longest mountain lake of Poland. The lake is as deep as 100 meters (328 ft).

Gdansk, Szczecin, Gdynia, Kolobrzeg, and Swinoujscie are the largest sea harbors in Poland.

Poland is one of the blessed countries in the world for 30.5% of its land is covered with forests.

The Raczki Elblaskie is the lowest point in Poland.

Climate

Generally Poland has a moderate climate. In the south and east, the weather gets little warmer while in the north and south, it becomes cooler.

Poland has hot summers as the temperature averages in between 18o C to 30o C.

The northeast and the northwest experience a rather cold weather averaging 3o C to -6o C.

Lower Silesia is the hottest part of Poland where temperature hardly drops below 24o C; it goes up to 34o C.

Tarnow has got the longest summer in Poland as it lasts for about 115 days.

Podlaskie Voivodeship is the coolest region of Poland with the temperature of -6o C.

Fauna and Flora

Poland is home to many animals that have disappeared from the entire Europe. Some of these includes; wisent, beaver, brown bear, moose, and Eurasian Lynx.

Wisent lives in the ancient woodland of Bialowieza forest while beaver is found in Masuria.

Poland has also certain game animals such as roe deer, red deer, and wild boars.

Nearly all European migratory birds often breed in Poland.

Did You Know…? Poland Facts For Kids

Poland has the third largest number of smokers in the world; 35% of adults are involved in smoking.

The average life expectancy of polish is 75 years.

Blessed Virgin and St. Alexis are one of the oldest churches in Poland.